Retort



July 19, 1932. E. CLIFTON ET AL RETORT Filed Sept. 28, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l m van tors \E/VOCH CLIFTON 4 55), W/LL/AMJ. COOPIE'R.

Attorney y 9, 1932; E. CLIFTON ET AL ,8

RETORT Filed Sept. 28. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I F 20 v j //1 van tors, ENOCH CLIFTON 4 Patented July 19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ENOCH CLIFTON AND WILLIAM J'. COOPER, OF PORTLAND, OREGON RETORT Our invention in general is included in a class of apparatus of a character designed for treating various materials for the purpose of extracting volatile products therefrom, and to conserve valuable by-products remainlng in the solid residue.

The object of our invention is to provide an apparatus having a heating chamber with its heat transmitting walls interposed between it and adjoining retortv chambers on each side thereof, said retort chambers having controlling mechanism for introduction of material into the same, controlling mechanism for passage of the material downwardly while being roasted and means for removing residue after distillation of volatile products. We attain these objects, as well as Other advantages, by the construction, combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof.

Fig. I is a vertical cross-sectional view of the apparatus in operative position on the line II in Fig. II, with parts broken away.

Fig. II is a vertical opposing cross-sec-' tional view of the same on the line IIII in Fig. I, with parts broken away.

Fig. III is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a portion of a retort chamber and one tilting table therein.

Fig. IIIa is a sectional view of part of sald chamber wall on the line IIIaIIIa in Fig. III, showing corrugated surface.

Fig. IV is an enlarged plan View of a reciprocating plunger block, partly broken away, for controlling flow of material into,

supply channels extending to the retort chambers.

Fig. V is an enlarged end view of said plunger block as in Fig. IV with part of its reciprocating mechanism.

Fig. VI is a partial plan view of part shown in Fig. IV.

Fig. VII is an enlarged sectional view of thedrum in control mechanism.

Fig. VIII is an enlarged diametric sectional View of said drum, showing its relation with control mechanism.

Likecharacters refer to like parts in all views.

The apparatus is constructed with a vertical central rectangular heatingehamber A, with opposing common walls 1, intervening between it and vertical rectangular retort chambers B on opposing sides thereof. This arrangement may be for one heating chamber or a series of the same with corresponding adjoining retorts, as illustrated in Fig. I. In a chamber A, a series of horizontal plates 2 are rigidly secured alternately at one side to opposing walls 1 of the chamber and extend outwardly with a convenient space between their free side edges and the wall opposite to same, being arranged to allow a reciprocating flow of heating fluid upward- 1y through the chamber A, and retarding the length of time of contact of said fluid upon the walls of said chamber in the spaces between said plates. The walls 1 also have a series of short integral baffles 3 extending horizontally therefrom to further aid in retaining the heating fluid in contact with said walls a longer time, as it passes over them, also to increase the heating surface of the walls.

Heating fluids from a source of supply, for example, such as gaseous products of combustion from a Dutch oven, are transmitted through a conduit extending from a supply source to inlets 5, discharging such fluid into a chamber A at the lower end thereof. At the upper end of a chamber A are outlets 6 into a pipe 7, through which the exhaust heating fluid, such as gaseous products of combustion for example, is discharged.

The retort chambers B are provided with a series of tables 8 rigidly secured near their ends and upon their lower surfaces to trunnion plates 9 and 9a, which are pivoted in opposing outer walls of the chamber. Said tables are positioned upon their trunnions so as to allow the table to be tilted with relation to its opposing wall at a predetermined angle. The heating walls of the chamber B have a series of vertical corrugated surfaces 10 spaced apart and flush with the wall plane Centrally positioned at one side of each chamber A is a rotatable drum 11, rigidly keyed upon a rotatable shaft 12 supported by bearing 12a mounted on a base 13 shown in Fig. II. The drum is rotated from a power source 14 ,by intervening mechanism 15.

' Upon the drum, dogs 16 are arranged in positions to allow them to engage one end of pivotally mounted lever arms 17 in a predetermined sequence. Intervening lever transmission mechanism 18 extends between the opposite end of lever arms 17 and table trunnions .9. The lever arms and intervening mechanism are independent as to and for each table, and the same are operated by predetermined dogs of the drum, simultaneously for tables horizontally aligned with each other in chambers B adjoining opposite sides of chamber A, said tables being tilted in sequence to a greater angle atsuch times and returning by gravity to their previous angle tilt of repose, as soon as material thereon is dumped from their surfaces and the dog has released the lever arm 17.

Material 19 isshown upon the tables. 8.

In Fig. I tables em shown tilted and material just dumped therefrom in position on the tables next below, said first tables being about to return to positions like the others shown, as just mentioned.

At the upper ends of retort chambers B, feed hoppers 20 are secured upon right angled channels'21, extending oppositely from the lower end of the hopper. The vertical portions of said channels have outlets 22 discharging into the upper ends of opposing retort chambers B. In the horizontal portion of channels 21 a hopper discharge control block 23 is slidably positioned. This block is of a dimension and arrangement allowing it to open and close the discharge of feed material into channels 21 reciprocally, also allowing a portion of material to remain within the upper part of a closed channel to prevent escape of vapors from chamber B. When a channel is reopened the material therein is easily forced through by pressure of that above. Upon the outer ends of the blocks 23 are racks 24, positioned to engage sector gears 25 below same. The'drum shaft 12 extends without inner bearing bracket 12a to receive the intervening crank, transmission mechanisms 26, which extend between the shafts 12 and sector gears 25, and is arranged to allow the reciprocating movement of the block 23 as mentioned.

In the upper par-ts of the channels 21 are openings 27 having covers 28. These openings are to allow the insertion of rods vertically to clean the chambers B when all tables are vertically tilted, as may be done by operation of all lever arms 17 simultaneously.

In the chambers B are openings 29 positioned to allow the discharge through them of distilled vapors, of different specific gravity, into pipes extending to condensers which are not shown. The passage of distilled vapors may be aided if desired by suction fans to draw them through said openings.

' In the lower ends of chambers B are openings 30 for discharge of solid residue material into a horizontal channel 31 below, which extends to and opens into a receiving hopper 32. In the channel 31 an ejector 33 is slidably positioned to allow it to force material in the channel outwardly into the hopper 32. Rack and pinion mechanism 34 is arranged to operate the ejector 33 reciprocally. Mechanism 34 may be operated by convenient intervening means between it and the drum or it may be operated independently. At the lower end of the hopper 32 is a dumping means. 35. The chambers 13 may have troughs 36 along their lower ends adapted to receive heavy oil products which do not conveniently distill through the discharge openings 29. It isintended that the apparatus shall be constructed upon a suitable foundation 37, with openings through the same for passage of heat, and outlets for residue discharge.

The operation will now be described. Crude material, crushed if desirable to a convenient fineness, is deposited in the upper hoppers. Such material may be of wood, coal, Cinnabar, shale, concentrates, diatomaceous earth, etc. The block 23, controlled as shown, allows a measured quantity to be dropped in predetermined periods upon the uppermost table, and suflicient to fill the space between ,the block stopping point and the downward channel to close it to vapors arising in the chamber below. The table controlling mechanism is timed to allow material to rest a predetermined period. upon each table, then to be tilted therefrom to the next table below, and so on in sequence, until the residue is discharged to the receiving hopper 32. The table movements tend to roll the material and agitate it so as to allow transmitting walls because of any adhesive substance in the material.

It will be seen that the material being con- =tinuously in contact with the heat transmitting walls, all vaporized products there from' flow upwardly and centrally within the retort chambers where there is. an area of lower temperature.

walls. This cooler area provides a space in wh ch vapors may expand and proceed to their respective discharge openin s and thus obviate deterioration in quality 0 such vola- In end retorts this flow would be along the cooler outer retort tile products. This arrangement tends to avoid superhea-ting of distilled vapors and allows the same to pass through the discharge openings in a condition of commercial value, lighter vapors passing through higher and heavier vapors through lower openings. For the purpose of accomplishing such distillation it is intended that some convenient type of thermostatic control of the heating fiuid shall be employed. It will be observed that the interior arrangement of the heating chamberis such that the temperature in the retort chambers will be highest in their lower ends and decrease upwardly in a progression such as may be required to insuredistillation of volatile products in the order of their specific gravity as the material passes downward, the heavier products requiring greater heat being subjected to the same in the lower ends of the retorts.

The solid material residue, for example charcoal or other product adapted for commercial use, is carried away through the dumping hopper atthe bottom, and if such material has further value, for example as a fuel, or for an article suitable for manufacture, it may be and usually is a very valuable by-product of the process thus developed in the operation provided by our apparatus. Briefly, it is contemplated that no part of the material which has value shall be lost or discarded. The device may be installed with one heating chamber and adjoining retorts or a battery of same, set up as illustrated, according to requirements for the quantity of material to be treated. The construction and operation of the apparatus are new and useful. It is economical to build and operate, will overcome many former difficulties, and insure great efliciency and increased saving of valuable products, which has not been heretofore accomplished tosuch an extent as can be done wit-h our device.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for the distillation of solid material, having vertical retorts, means for supplying material thereto, a heating chamber, walls separating said chamber from said retorts, which retorts are positioned on opposite sides of the chamber; a vertically tiltable table mounted in a mentioned retort, with its lower edge normally engaging one of said separating walls, so as to adapt the table to retain a deposit in contact with the wall, and, after being tilted, automatically to recover its original position by gravity impulse.

2. In an apparatus for the distillation of solid material, having a vertical retort, means for supplying material thereto, a heating chamber, a wall separating saidchamber from said retort; a series of tiltable tables mounted in vertical sequence relation in the retort, each table with its lower edge normally engaging said separating wall, so as to adapt the table to retain a deposit in contact with the wall, each table also being adapted, after being tilted, automatically to recover in predetermined sequence its original position by gravity impulse.

3. In an apparatus for the distillation of solid material, having a vertical retort, the combination of; means for supplying material thereto, a heating chamber, a wall separating said chamber from said retort; a series of tiltable tables mounted in vertical sequence relation in the retort, each table with its lower edge normally engaging said separating wall, so as to adapt the table to retain a deposit in contact with the wall, each table also being adapted, after being tilted, automatically to recover in predetermined sequence its original position by gravity impulse, and mechanism adapted so as to tilt said tables in sequence as mentioned, and to release them in a like manner from such tilting impulse.

4:. In an apparatus for the distillation of solid material, having vertical retorts, means for supplying material thereto, a heating chamber on opposite sides of the retorts, walls separating said chambers from the retorts; series of oppositely positioned tiltable tables, each series mounted in vertical se quence relation in the retort, each table .with its lower edge normally engaging an opposing separating wall, so as to adapt the table to retain a deposit in contact with said wall, each table also being adapted, after being tilted, automatically to recover its original position by gravity impulse, in predetermined sequence.

5.. In an apparatus for the distillation of solid material, having a vertical retort, means for supplying material thereto, means for supplying heat thereto through its walls, said walls having thereon a series of corrugated surface spaced apart and flush with the wall planes, the combination therewith of; a series of tiltable tables mounted in vertical sequence relation in the retort and in relation to its corrugated wall parts, each table with itslower edge normally engaging an opposing wall so as-to adapt the table to retain a deposit in contact with the wall, each table also being adapted, after being tilted, automatically to recover its original position by gravity impulse, in predetermined sequence.

6. In an apparatus for the distillation of solid material, having vertical retorts, means for supplying material thereto, a heating chamber on opposite sides of the retorts, the combination of; walls separating said chambers from the retorts, series of oppositely positioned tiltable tables, each series mounted in vertical sequence relation in the retort, each table with its lower edge normally engaging an opposing separating wall, so as to adapt the table to retain a deposit in contact with said wall, each table being adapted, after being tilted, automatically to recover its original position by gravity impulse, in

predetermined sequence, and mechanism adapted so as to tilt said tables in sequence as mentioned and to release them in a like manner from such tilting impulse.

7. In an apparatus for the distillation of solid material, having a vertical retort, means for supplying material thereto, a heating chamber, a wall separating said chamber from said retort, the combination of; a series of vertical tables mounted in vertical sequence relation in the retort, each table with its lower edge normally engaging said separating wall, so as to adapt the table to retain a deposit in contact with the wall, each table also being adapted, after being tilted,

automatically to recover in predetermined sequence 1ts origmal position by gravlty 1mpulse, inlet means adjacent to the bottom. of

the chamber and outlet means adjacent to the top thereof, each adapted for the passage of a heating fluid from a source of supply thereof, and staggered bafile plates positioned relatively in the chamber, also positioned relatively as to the flow and direction of passage of a heating fluid mentioned.

8. In an apparatus for the distillation of solid material, having a vertical retort, the combination of; means for supplying material thereto, a heating chamber, a wall separating said chamber from said retort, a series of tiltable tables mounted in vertical sequence relation in the retort, each table with its lower edge normally engaging said separating wall, so as to adapt the table to retain a deposit in contact with the wall, each table also being adapted, after being tilted, automatically to recover inpredeterminedsequence its original position by gravity impulse, and mechanism positioned upon and in the upper portion of said retort, adapted for feeding a predetermined quantity of material intermittently into the retort and upon the uppermost of said tables in relation to 'their normal position sequence.

9. In an apparatus for the distillation of solid material, having a vertical retort, thecombination of; means for supplying material thereto, a heating chamber, a wall separating said chamber from said retort, a series of tiltable tables mounted in vertical sequence relation in the retort, each table with its lower edge normally engaging said separating wall, so as to adapt the table to retain a deposit in contact with the wall, each table also being adapted, after being tilted, automatically to recover in predetermined sequence its original position by gravity impulse, mechanism positioned upon and in the upper portion of said retort, adapted for feeding a predetermined quantity of material intermittently into the retort and upon the uppermost of said tables in relation to their normal position sequence, and means for withdrawing products of distillation from said retort.

10. In an apparatus for distilling solid material, having vertical retorts, the coinbination of; a heating chamber positioned between said retorts and having separating walls therefrom, also having inlet means adjacent to its bottom and outlet means adjacent to its top, each adapted for the passage of a heating fluid from a source of supply thereof, a series of tiltable tables mounted in vertical sequence relation in said retorts, each table with its lower edge normally engaging a mentioned separating wall, so as to adapt the table to retain a deposit in contact with its said opposing wall, each table also being adapted, after being tilted, automatically to recover in predetermined sequence its original position by gravity impulse, mechanism adapted to tilt said tables in sequence as mentioned and to release them in a like manner from such tilting impulse, and means to withdraw products of distillation from said retorts.

11. In an apparatus for distilling solid material, having vertical retorts, the combination of; a heating chamber positioned be- I tween said retorts and having separating walls therefrom, also having inlet means adjacent to its bottom and outlet means adjacent to its top, each adapted for the passage of-a heating fluid from a source of supply .thereof, a series of tiltable tables mounted in vertical sequence relation in said retorts,

each table with its lower edge normally engaging a mentioned separating wall, so as to adapt the table to retain a deposit in contact with its said opposing wall, each table quence.

ENOCH CLIFTON. WILLIAM J. COOPER. 

